I was invigorated after Costa Rica but coming back from a weekend in Chicago? Not so much! (read: well hung-over from boozin and partying!) I decided not to drink much or go out a bunch…instead I got a lot of work done this past week and also a lot of writing at night. February is always a super busy month and this year is no exception. Still, I never think of hosting salon nights at my loft as tiring…it’s bliss! Lyne Tremblay was the guest of honour last Wednesday, as she’d been in Montreal for months and many of her fans and friends have missed her…she performed in her inimitable sassy way.

Lyne Tremblay and Waylen Miki!

Wendy Lands came to sing for the first time. Sweet!

Sophia Perlman sang beautifully at my loft party!

Also performing at the salon: Pianists Norman Amadio and Tyler Yarema, guitarists Tony Quarrington and Mac Daddy, percussionist Leslie Huyer, singers Beverly Taft and Denielle Bassels and a puppet named Allan. Also Richard Flohil regaled the twenty-odd crowd with a great story about the eccentric singer, King Solomon.

Jamie Kennedy and I have been friends since before the turn of the century back when he had Palmerston on College.

I had a really great night last week with King Arthur. First stop was 4 Gillead Place, the latest restaurant (laboratory) of JAMIE KENNEDY, who is one of Canada’s best known chefs…and for good reason. Some might say opening a restaurant in an alley way near King and Parliament is audacious and fraught with folly, but the reasonable rent means you don’t have to mortgage your house for a meal! It was a great experience and after I introduced King Arthur to Jamie, it was agreed Jamie would do the catering for a party the King and I will host at his new house this summer. Can’t wait…for the party…and for summer!

King Arthur and Kitty at The Wee Trio gig.

After a terrific meal we bee-lined to a loft party at the home of Scott and Kitty. Scott Morin’s place is quite large and he featured a band doing jazz versions of David Bowie songs. Drums, bass and vibraphone…The Wee Trio have a cool sound!

For Super Bowl Sunday I did what I always do…go to my pals to play poker! I’ve been playing Texas Hold’em with Vince and Mel for years. Once I had a royal flush (bragging rights for how long?) but not on this day. Ouch – I just wasn’t getting cards and after I was eliminated (it was tournament style) I watched the football game and played with a bunch of cool kids.

COMING UP:

Tons of jazz safaris all month, a couple of great concerts at The Old Mill Inn and at Hugh’s Room Helmut Lipsky (Feb.28th) who is my favourite tango artist. You need to see this show and get tix now at http://www.hughsroom.com